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Orgulho e-preconceito-jane-austen

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Pride and Prejudice Jane AustenThis eBook was designed and published by Planet PDF. For more freeeBooks visit our Web site at http://www.planetpdf.com/. To hearabout our latest releases subscribe to the Planet PDF Newsletter.

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Pride and Prejudice Chapter 1 It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single manin possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such aman may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, thistruth is so well fixed in the minds of the surroundingfamilies, that he is considered the rightful property of someone or other of their daughters. ‘My dear Mr. Bennet,’ said his lady to him one day,‘have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?’ Mr. Bennet replied that he had not. ‘But it is,’ returned she; ‘for Mrs. Long has just beenhere, and she told me all about it.’ Mr. Bennet made no answer. ‘Do you not want to know who has taken it?’ cried hiswife impatiently. ‘YOU want to tell me, and I have no objection tohearing it.’ This was invitation enough. ‘Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says thatNetherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune fromthe north of England; that he came down on Monday in achaise and four to see the place, and was so much 2 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicedelighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morrisimmediately; that he is to take possession beforeMichaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in thehouse by the end of next week.’ ‘What is his name?’ ‘Bingley.’ ‘Is he married or single?’ ‘Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of largefortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing forour girls!’ ‘How so? How can it affect them?’ ‘My dear Mr. Bennet,’ replied his wife, ‘how can yoube so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of hismarrying one of them.’ ‘Is that his design in settling here?’ ‘Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is verylikely that he MAY fall in love with one of them, andtherefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.’ ‘I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, oryou may send them by themselves, which perhaps will bestill better, for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr.Bingley may like you the best of the party.’ ‘My dear, you flatter me. I certainly HAVE had myshare of beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything 3 of 593

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Pride and Prejudiceextraordinary now. When a woman has five grown-updaughters, she ought to give over thinking of her ownbeauty.’ ‘In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty tothink of.’ ‘But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingleywhen he comes into the neighbourhood.’ ‘It is more than I engage for, I assure you.’ ‘But consider your daughters. Only think what anestablishment it would be for one of them. Sir Williamand Lady Lucas are determined to go, merely on thataccount, for in general, you know, they visit nonewcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossiblefor US to visit him if you do not.’ ‘You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr.Bingley will be very glad to see you; and I will send a fewlines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to hismarrying whichever he chooses of the girls; though I mustthrow in a good word for my little Lizzy.’ ‘I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bitbetter than the others; and I am sure she is not half sohandsome as Jane, nor half so good-humoured as Lydia.But you are always giving HER the preference.’ 4 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘They have none of them much to recommend them,’replied he; ‘they are all silly and ignorant like other girls;but Lizzy has something more of quickness than hersisters.’ ‘Mr. Bennet, how CAN you abuse your own childrenin such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You haveno compassion for my poor nerves.’ ‘You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect foryour nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard youmention them with consideration these last twenty years atleast.’ Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts,sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experienceof three-and-twenty years had been insufficient to makehis wife understand his character. HER mind was lessdifficult to develop. She was a woman of meanunderstanding, little information, and uncertain temper.When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous.The business of her life was to get her daughters married;its solace was visiting and news. 5 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Chapter 2 Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those whowaited on Mr. Bingley. He had always intended to visithim, though to the last always assuring his wife that heshould not go; and till the evening after the visit was paidshe had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in thefollowing manner. Observing his second daughteremployed in trimming a hat, he suddenly addressed herwith: ‘I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy.’ ‘We are not in a way to know WHAT Mr. Bingleylikes,’ said her mother resentfully, ‘since we are not tovisit.’ ‘But you forget, mamma,’ said Elizabeth, ‘that we shallmeet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long promisedto introduce him.’ ‘I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. Shehas two nieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocriticalwoman, and I have no opinion of her.’ ‘No more have I,’ said Mr. Bennet; ‘and I am glad tofind that you do not depend on her serving you.’ 6 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Mrs. Bennet deigned not to make any reply, but,unable to contain herself, began scolding one of herdaughters. ‘Don’t keep coughing so, Kitty, for Heaven’s sake!Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them topieces.’ ‘Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,’ said her father;‘she times them ill.’ ‘I do not cough for my own amusement,’ replied Kittyfretfully. ‘When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?’ ‘To-morrow fortnight.’ ‘Aye, so it is,’ cried her mother, ‘and Mrs. Long doesnot come back till the day before; so it will be impossiblefor her to introduce him, for she will not know himherself.’ ‘Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of yourfriend, and introduce Mr. Bingley to HER.’ ‘Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am notacquainted with him myself; how can you be so teasing?’ ‘I honour your circumspection. A fortnight’sacquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot knowwhat a man really is by the end of a fortnight. But if WEdo not venture somebody else will; and after all, Mrs.Long and her daughters must stand their chance; and, 7 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicetherefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, if youdecline the office, I will take it on myself.’ The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet said only,‘Nonsense, nonsense!’ ‘What can be the meaning of that emphaticexclamation?’ cried he. ‘Do you consider the forms ofintroduction, and the stress that is laid on them, asnonsense? I cannot quite agree with you THERE. Whatsay you, Mary? For you are a young lady of deepreflection, I know, and read great books and makeextracts.’ Mary wished to say something sensible, but knew nothow. ‘While Mary is adjusting her ideas,’ he continued, ‘letus return to Mr. Bingley.’ ‘I am sick of Mr. Bingley,’ cried his wife. ‘I am sorry to hear THAT; but why did not you tellme that before? If I had known as much this morning Icertainly would not have called on him. It is very unlucky;but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape theacquaintance now.’ The astonishment of the ladies was just what hewished; that of Mrs. Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest; 8 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicethough, when the first tumult of joy was over, she beganto declare that it was what she had expected all the while. ‘How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Bennet! But Iknew I should persuade you at last. I was sure you lovedyour girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance. Well,how pleased I am! and it is such a good joke, too, that youshould have gone this morning and never said a wordabout it till now.’ ‘Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose,’said Mr. Bennet; and, as he spoke, he left the room,fatigued with the raptures of his wife. ‘What an excellent father you have, girls!’ said she,when the door was shut. ‘I do not know how you willever make him amends for his kindness; or me, either, forthat matter. At our time of life it is not so pleasant, I cantell you, to be making new acquaintances every day; butfor your sakes, we would do anything. Lydia, my love,though you ARE the youngest, I dare say Mr. Bingleywill dance with you at the next ball.’ ‘Oh!’ said Lydia stoutly, ‘I am not afraid; for though IAM the youngest, I’m the tallest.’ The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing howsoon he would return Mr. Bennet’s visit, and determiningwhen they should ask him to dinner. 9 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Chapter 3 Not all that Mrs. Bennet, however, with the assistanceof her five daughters, could ask on the subject, wassufficient to draw from her husband any satisfactorydescription of Mr. Bingley. They attacked him in variousways—with barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions,and distant surmises; but he eluded the skill of them all,and they were at last obliged to accept the second-handintelligence of their neighbour, Lady Lucas. Her reportwas highly favourable. Sir William had been delightedwith him. He was quite young, wonderfully handsome,extremely agreeable, and, to crown the whole, he meantto be at the next assembly with a large party. Nothingcould be more delightful! To be fond of dancing was acertain step towards falling in love; and very lively hopesof Mr. Bingley’s heart were entertained. ‘If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled atNetherfield,’ said Mrs. Bennet to her husband, ‘and all theothers equally well married, I shall have nothing to wishfor.’ In a few days Mr. Bingley returned Mr. Bennet’s visit,and sat about ten minutes with him in his library. He had 10 of 593

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Pride and Prejudiceentertained hopes of being admitted to a sight of theyoung ladies, of whose beauty he had heard much; but hesaw only the father. The ladies were somewhat morefortunate, for they had the advantage of ascertaining froman upper window that he wore a blue coat, and rode ablack horse. An invitation to dinner was soon afterwards dispatched;and already had Mrs. Bennet planned the courses thatwere to do credit to her housekeeping, when an answerarrived which deferred it all. Mr. Bingley was obliged tobe in town the following day, and, consequently, unableto accept the honour of their invitation, etc. Mrs. Bennetwas quite disconcerted. She could not imagine whatbusiness he could have in town so soon after his arrival inHertfordshire; and she began to fear that he might bealways flying about from one place to another, and neversettled at Netherfield as he ought to be. Lady Lucasquieted her fears a little by starting the idea of his beinggone to London only to get a large party for the ball; and areport soon followed that Mr. Bingley was to bring twelveladies and seven gentlemen with him to the assembly. Thegirls grieved over such a number of ladies, but werecomforted the day before the ball by hearing, that insteadof twelve he brought only six with him from London—his 11 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicefive sisters and a cousin. And when the party entered theassembly room it consisted of only five altogether—Mr.Bingley, his two sisters, the husband of the eldest, andanother young man. Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; hehad a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners.His sisters were fine women, with an air of decidedfashion. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, merely looked thegentleman; but his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew theattention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsomefeatures, noble mien, and the report which was in generalcirculation within five minutes after his entrance, of hishaving ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronouncedhim to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he wasmuch handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked atwith great admiration for about half the evening, till hismanners gave a disgust which turned the tide of hispopularity; for he was discovered to be proud; to be abovehis company, and above being pleased; and not all his largeestate in Derbyshire could then save him from having amost forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and beingunworthy to be compared with his friend. Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with allthe principal people in the room; he was lively and 12 of 593

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Pride and Prejudiceunreserved, danced every dance, was angry that the ballclosed so early, and talked of giving one himself atNetherfield. Such amiable qualities must speak forthemselves. What a contrast between him and his friend!Mr. Darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst and oncewith Miss Bingley, declined being introduced to any otherlady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking aboutthe room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party.His character was decided. He was the proudest, mostdisagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped thathe would never come there again. Amongst the mostviolent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of hisgeneral behaviour was sharpened into particularresentment by his having slighted one of her daughters. Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged, by the scarcity ofgentlemen, to sit down for two dances; and during part ofthat time, Mr. Darcy had been standing near enough forher to hear a conversation between him and Mr. Bingley,who came from the dance for a few minutes, to press hisfriend to join it. ‘Come, Darcy,’ said he, ‘I must have you dance. I hateto see you standing about by yourself in this stupidmanner. You had much better dance.’ 13 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless Iam particularly acquainted with my partner. At such anassembly as this it would be insupportable. Your sisters areengaged, and there is not another woman in the roomwhom it would not be a punishment to me to stand upwith.’ ‘I would not be so fastidious as you are,’ cried Mr.Bingley, ‘for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never metwith so many pleasant girls in my life as I have thisevening; and there are several of them you seeuncommonly pretty.’ ‘YOU are dancing with the only handsome girl in theroom,’ said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet. ‘Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld!But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behindyou, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Dolet me ask my partner to introduce you.’ ‘Which do you mean?’ and turning round he lookedfor a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, hewithdrew his own and coldly said: ‘She is tolerable, butnot handsome enough to tempt ME; I am in no humourat present to give consequence to young ladies who areslighted by other men. You had better return to your 14 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicepartner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting yourtime with me.’ Mr. Bingley followed his advice. Mr. Darcy walked off;and Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelingstoward him. She told the story, however, with great spiritamong her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition,which delighted in anything ridiculous. The evening altogether passed off pleasantly to thewhole family. Mrs. Bennet had seen her eldest daughtermuch admired by the Netherfield party. Mr. Bingley haddanced with her twice, and she had been distinguished byhis sisters. Jane was as much gratified by this as her mothercould be, though in a quieter way. Elizabeth felt Jane’spleasure. Mary had heard herself mentioned to MissBingley as the most accomplished girl in theneighbourhood; and Catherine and Lydia had beenfortunate enough never to be without partners, which wasall that they had yet learnt to care for at a ball. Theyreturned, therefore, in good spirits to Longbourn, thevillage where they lived, and of which they were theprincipal inhabitants. They found Mr. Bennet still up.With a book he was regardless of time; and on the presentoccasion he had a good deal of curiosity as to the events ofan evening which had raised such splendid expectations. 15 of 593

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Pride and PrejudiceHe had rather hoped that his wife’s views on the strangerwould be disappointed; but he soon found out that he hada different story to hear. ‘Oh! my dear Mr. Bennet,’ as she entered the room,‘we have had a most delightful evening, a most excellentball. I wish you had been there. Jane was so admired,nothing could be like it. Everybody said how well shelooked; and Mr. Bingley thought her quite beautiful, anddanced with her twice! Only think of THAT, my dear; heactually danced with her twice! and she was the onlycreature in the room that he asked a second time. First ofall, he asked Miss Lucas. I was so vexed to see him standup with her! But, however, he did not admire her at all;indeed, nobody can, you know; and he seemed quitestruck with Jane as she was going down the dance. So heinquired who she was, and got introduced, and asked herfor the two next. Then the two third he danced with MissKing, and the two fourth with Maria Lucas, and the twofifth with Jane again, and the two sixth with Lizzy, and theBOULANGER—‘ ‘If he had had any compassion for ME,’ cried herhusband impatiently, ‘he would not have danced half somuch! For God’s sake, say no more of his partners. O thathe had sprained his ankle in the first place!’ 16 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘Oh! my dear, I am quite delighted with him. He is soexcessively handsome! And his sisters are charmingwomen. I never in my life saw anything more elegant thantheir dresses. I dare say the lace upon Mrs. Hurst’s gown—‘ Here she was interrupted again. Mr. Bennet protestedagainst any description of finery. She was therefore obligedto seek another branch of the subject, and related, withmuch bitterness of spirit and some exaggeration, theshocking rudeness of Mr. Darcy. ‘But I can assure you,’ she added, ‘that Lizzy does notlose much by not suiting HIS fancy; for he is a mostdisagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing. So highand so conceited that there was no enduring him! Hewalked here, and he walked there, fancying himself sovery great! Not handsome enough to dance with! I wishyou had been there, my dear, to have given him one ofyour set-downs. I quite detest the man.’ 17 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Chapter 4 When Jane and Elizabeth were alone, the former, whohad been cautious in her praise of Mr. Bingley before,expressed to her sister just how very much she admiredhim. ‘He is just what a young man ought to be,’ said she,‘sensible, good-humoured, lively; and I never saw suchhappy manners!—so much ease, with such perfect goodbreeding!’ ‘He is also handsome,’ replied Elizabeth, ‘which ayoung man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can. Hischaracter is thereby complete.’ ‘I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance asecond time. I did not expect such a compliment.’ ‘Did not you? I did for you. But that is one greatdifference between us. Compliments always take YOU bysurprise, and ME never. What could be more natural thanhis asking you again? He could not help seeing that youwere about five times as pretty as every other woman inthe room. No thanks to his gallantry for that. Well, hecertainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to likehim. You have liked many a stupider person.’ 18 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘Dear Lizzy!’ ‘Oh! you are a great deal too apt, you know, to likepeople in general. You never see a fault in anybody. Allthe world are good and agreeable in your eyes. I neverheard you speak ill of a human being in your life.’ ‘I would not wish to be hasty in censuring anyone; butI always speak what I think.’ ‘I know you do; and it is THAT which makes thewonder. With YOUR good sense, to be so honestly blindto the follies and nonsense of others! Affectation ofcandour is common enough—one meets with iteverywhere. But to be candid without ostentation ordesign—to take the good of everybody’s character andmake it still better, and say nothing of the bad—belongs toyou alone. And so you like this man’s sisters, too, do you?Their manners are not equal to his.’ ‘Certainly not—at first. But they are very pleasingwomen when you converse with them. Miss Bingley is tolive with her brother, and keep his house; and I am muchmistaken if we shall not find a very charming neighbour inher.’ Elizabeth listened in silence, but was not convinced;their behaviour at the assembly had not been calculated toplease in general; and with more quickness of observation 19 of 593

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Pride and Prejudiceand less pliancy of temper than her sister, and with ajudgement too unassailed by any attention to herself, shewas very little disposed to approve them. They were infact very fine ladies; not deficient in good humour whenthey were pleased, nor in the power of making themselvesagreeable when they chose it, but proud and conceited.They were rather handsome, had been educated in one ofthe first private seminaries in town, had a fortune oftwenty thousand pounds, were in the habit of spendingmore than they ought, and of associating with people ofrank, and were therefore in every respect entitled to thinkwell of themselves, and meanly of others. They were of arespectable family in the north of England; a circumstancemore deeply impressed on their memories than that theirbrother’s fortune and their own had been acquired bytrade. Mr. Bingley inherited property to the amount of nearlya hundred thousand pounds from his father, who hadintended to purchase an estate, but did not live to do it.Mr. Bingley intended it likewise, and sometimes madechoice of his county; but as he was now provided with agood house and the liberty of a manor, it was doubtful tomany of those who best knew the easiness of his temper, 20 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicewhether he might not spend the remainder of his days atNetherfield, and leave the next generation to purchase. His sisters were anxious for his having an estate of hisown; but, though he was now only established as a tenant,Miss Bingley was by no means unwilling to preside at histable—nor was Mrs. Hurst, who had married a man ofmore fashion than fortune, less disposed to consider hishouse as her home when it suited her. Mr. Bingley hadnot been of age two years, when he was tempted by anaccidental recommendation to look at Netherfield House.He did look at it, and into it for half-an-hour—waspleased with the situation and the principal rooms, satisfiedwith what the owner said in its praise, and took itimmediately. Between him and Darcy there was a very steadyfriendship, in spite of great opposition of character.Bingley was endeared to Darcy by the easiness, openness,and ductility of his temper, though no disposition couldoffer a greater contrast to his own, and though with hisown he never appeared dissatisfied. On the strength ofDarcy’s regard, Bingley had the firmest reliance, and of hisjudgement the highest opinion. In understanding, Darcywas the superior. Bingley was by no means deficient, butDarcy was clever. He was at the same time haughty, 21 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicereserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well-bred, were not inviting. In that respect his friend hadgreatly the advantage. Bingley was sure of being likedwherever he appeared, Darcy was continually givingoffense. The manner in which they spoke of the Merytonassembly was sufficiently characteristic. Bingley had nevermet with more pleasant people or prettier girls in his life;everybody had been most kind and attentive to him; therehad been no formality, no stiffness; he had soon feltacquainted with all the room; and, as to Miss Bennet, hecould not conceive an angel more beautiful. Darcy, on thecontrary, had seen a collection of people in whom therewas little beauty and no fashion, for none of whom he hadfelt the smallest interest, and from none received eitherattention or pleasure. Miss Bennet he acknowledged to bepretty, but she smiled too much. Mrs. Hurst and her sister allowed it to be so—but stillthey admired her and liked her, and pronounced her to bea sweet girl, and one whom they would not object toknow more of. Miss Bennet was therefore established as asweet girl, and their brother felt authorized by suchcommendation to think of her as he chose. 22 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Chapter 5 Within a short walk of Longbourn lived a family withwhom the Bennets were particularly intimate. Sir WilliamLucas had been formerly in trade in Meryton, where hehad made a tolerable fortune, and risen to the honour ofknighthood by an address to the king during hismayoralty. The distinction had perhaps been felt toostrongly. It had given him a disgust to his business, and tohis residence in a small market town; and, in quitting themboth, he had removed with his family to a house about amile from Meryton, denominated from that period LucasLodge, where he could think with pleasure of his ownimportance, and, unshackled by business, occupy himselfsolely in being civil to all the world. For, though elated byhis rank, it did not render him supercilious; on thecontrary, he was all attention to everybody. By natureinoffensive, friendly, and obliging, his presentation at St.James’s had made him courteous. Lady Lucas was a very good kind of woman, not tooclever to be a valuable neighbour to Mrs. Bennet. Theyhad several children. The eldest of them, a sensible, 23 of 593

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Pride and Prejudiceintelligent young woman, about twenty-seven, wasElizabeth’s intimate friend. That the Miss Lucases and the Miss Bennets shouldmeet to talk over a ball was absolutely necessary; and themorning after the assembly brought the former toLongbourn to hear and to communicate. ‘YOU began the evening well, Charlotte,’ said Mrs.Bennet with civil self-command to Miss Lucas. ‘YOUwere Mr. Bingley’s first choice.’ ‘Yes; but he seemed to like his second better.’ ‘Oh! you mean Jane, I suppose, because he danced withher twice. To be sure that DID seem as if he admiredher—indeed I rather believe he DID—I heard somethingabout it—but I hardly know what—something about Mr.Robinson.’ ‘Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him andMr. Robinson; did not I mention it to you? Mr.Robinson’s asking him how he liked our Merytonassemblies, and whether he did not think there were agreat many pretty women in the room, and WHICH hethought the prettiest? and his answering immediately tothe last question: ‘Oh! the eldest Miss Bennet, beyond adoubt; there cannot be two opinions on that point.’’ 24 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘Upon my word! Well, that is very decided indeed—that does seem as if—but, however, it may all come tonothing, you know.’ ‘MY overhearings were more to the purpose thanYOURS, Eliza,’ said Charlotte. ‘Mr. Darcy is not so wellworth listening to as his friend, is he?—poor Eliza!—to beonly just TOLERABLE.’ ‘I beg you would not put it into Lizzy’s head to bevexed by his ill-treatment, for he is such a disagreeableman, that it would be quite a misfortune to be liked byhim. Mrs. Long told me last night that he sat close to herfor half-an-hour without once opening his lips.’ ‘Are you quite sure, ma’am?—is not there a littlemistake?’ said Jane. ‘I certainly saw Mr. Darcy speaking toher.’ ‘Aye—because she asked him at last how he likedNetherfield, and he could not help answering her; but shesaid he seemed quite angry at being spoke to.’ ‘Miss Bingley told me,’ said Jane, ‘that he never speaksmuch, unless among his intimate acquaintances. WithTHEM he is remarkably agreeable.’ ‘I do not believe a word of it, my dear. If he had beenso very agreeable, he would have talked to Mrs. Long. ButI can guess how it was; everybody says that he is eat up 25 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicewith pride, and I dare say he had heard somehow thatMrs. Long does not keep a carriage, and had come to theball in a hack chaise.’ ‘I do not mind his not talking to Mrs. Long,’ said MissLucas, ‘but I wish he had danced with Eliza.’ ‘Another time, Lizzy,’ said her mother, ‘I would notdance with HIM, if I were you.’ ‘I believe, ma’am, I may safely promise you NEVER todance with him.’ ‘His pride,’ said Miss Lucas, ‘does not offend ME somuch as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it.One cannot wonder that so very fine a young man, withfamily, fortune, everything in his favour, should thinkhighly of himself. If I may so express it, he has a RIGHTto be proud.’ ‘That is very true,’ replied Elizabeth, ‘and I could easilyforgive HIS pride, if he had not mortified MINE.’ ‘Pride,’ observed Mary, who piqued herself upon thesolidity of her reflections, ‘is a very common failing, Ibelieve. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that itis very common indeed; that human nature is particularlyprone to it, and that there are very few of us who do notcherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of somequality or other, real or imaginary. Vanity and pride are 26 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicedifferent things, though the words are often usedsynonymously. A person may be proud without beingvain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanityto what we would have others think of us.’ ‘If I were as rich as Mr. Darcy,’ cried a young Lucas,who came with his sisters, ‘I should not care how proud Iwas. I would keep a pack of foxhounds, and drink a bottleof wine a day.’ ‘Then you would drink a great deal more than youought,’ said Mrs. Bennet; ‘and if I were to see you at it, Ishould take away your bottle directly.’ The boy protested that she should not; she continuedto declare that she would, and the argument ended onlywith the visit. 27 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Chapter 6 The ladies of Longbourn soon waited on those ofNetherfield. The visit was soon returned in due form.Miss Bennet’s pleasing manners grew on the goodwill ofMrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and though the mother wasfound to be intolerable, and the younger sisters not worthspeaking to, a wish of being better acquainted withTHEM was expressed towards the two eldest. By Jane,this attention was received with the greatest pleasure, butElizabeth still saw superciliousness in their treatment ofeverybody, hardly excepting even her sister, and could notlike them; though their kindness to Jane, such as it was,had a value as arising in all probability from the influenceof their brother’s admiration. It was generally evidentwhenever they met, that he DID admire her and to HERit was equally evident that Jane was yielding to thepreference which she had begun to entertain for him fromthe first, and was in a way to be very much in love; butshe considered with pleasure that it was not likely to bediscovered by the world in general, since Jane united, withgreat strength of feeling, a composure of temper and auniform cheerfulness of manner which would guard her 28 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicefrom the suspicions of the impertinent. She mentioned thisto her friend Miss Lucas. ‘It may perhaps be pleasant,’ replied Charlotte, ‘to beable to impose on the public in such a case; but it issometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded. If awoman conceals her affection with the same skill from theobject of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him;and it will then be but poor consolation to believe theworld equally in the dark. There is so much of gratitudeor vanity in almost every attachment, that it is not safe toleave any to itself. We can all BEGIN freely—a slightpreference is natural enough; but there are very few of uswho have heart enough to be really in love withoutencouragement. In nine cases out of ten a women hadbetter show MORE affection than she feels. Bingley likesyour sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more thanlike her, if she does not help him on.’ ‘But she does help him on, as much as her nature willallow. If I can perceive her regard for him, he must be asimpleton, indeed, not to discover it too.’ ‘Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane’sdisposition as you do.’ ‘But if a woman is partial to a man, and does notendeavour to conceal it, he must find it out.’ 29 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But, thoughBingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for manyhours together; and, as they always see each other in largemixed parties, it is impossible that every moment shouldbe employed in conversing together. Jane should thereforemake the most of every half-hour in which she cancommand his attention. When she is secure of him, therewill be more leisure for falling in love as much as shechooses.’ ‘Your plan is a good one,’ replied Elizabeth, ‘wherenothing is in question but the desire of being well married,and if I were determined to get a rich husband, or anyhusband, I dare say I should adopt it. But these are notJane’s feelings; she is not acting by design. As yet, shecannot even be certain of the degree of her own regardnor of its reasonableness. She has known him only afortnight. She danced four dances with him at Meryton;she saw him one morning at his own house, and has sincedined with him in company four times. This is not quiteenough to make her understand his character.’ ‘Not as you represent it. Had she merely DINED withhim, she might only have discovered whether he had agood appetite; but you must remember that four evenings 30 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicehave also been spent together—and four evenings may doa great deal.’ ‘Yes; these four evenings have enabled them toascertain that they both like Vingt-un better thanCommerce; but with respect to any other leadingcharacteristic, I do not imagine that much has beenunfolded.’ ‘Well,’ said Charlotte, ‘I wish Jane success with all myheart; and if she were married to him to-morrow, I shouldthink she had as good a chance of happiness as if she wereto be studying his character for a twelvemonth. Happinessin marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If thedispositions of the parties are ever so well known to eachother or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advancetheir felicity in the least. They always continue to growsufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share ofvexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of thedefects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.’ ‘You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound.You know it is not sound, and that you would never actin this way yourself.’ Occupied in observing Mr. Bingley’s attentions to hersister, Elizabeth was far from suspecting that she washerself becoming an object of some interest in the eyes of 31 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicehis friend. Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to bepretty; he had looked at her without admiration at theball; and when they next met, he looked at her only tocriticise. But no sooner had he made it clear to himself andhis friends that she hardly had a good feature in her face,than he began to find it was rendered uncommonlyintelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. Tothis discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying.Though he had detected with a critical eye more than onefailure of perfect symmetry in her form, he was forced toacknowledge her figure to be light and pleasing; and inspite of his asserting that her manners were not those ofthe fashionable world, he was caught by their easyplayfulness. Of this she was perfectly unaware; to her hewas only the man who made himself agreeable nowhere,and who had not thought her handsome enough to dancewith. He began to wish to know more of her, and as a steptowards conversing with her himself, attended to herconversation with others. His doing so drew her notice. Itwas at Sir William Lucas’s, where a large party wereassembled. ‘What does Mr. Darcy mean,’ said she to Charlotte, ‘bylistening to my conversation with Colonel Forster?’ 32 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘That is a question which Mr. Darcy only can answer.’ ‘But if he does it any more I shall certainly let himknow that I see what he is about. He has a very satiricaleye, and if I do not begin by being impertinent myself, Ishall soon grow afraid of him.’ On his approaching them soon afterwards, thoughwithout seeming to have any intention of speaking, MissLucas defied her friend to mention such a subject to him;which immediately provoking Elizabeth to do it, sheturned to him and said: ‘Did you not think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myselfuncommonly well just now, when I was teasing ColonelForster to give us a ball at Meryton?’ ‘With great energy; but it is always a subject whichmakes a lady energetic.’ ‘You are severe on us.’ ‘It will be HER turn soon to be teased,’ said MissLucas. ‘I am going to open the instrument, Eliza, and youknow what follows.’ ‘You are a very strange creature by way of a friend!—always wanting me to play and sing before anybody andeverybody! If my vanity had taken a musical turn, youwould have been invaluable; but as it is, I would reallyrather not sit down before those who must be in the habit 33 of 593

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Pride and Prejudiceof hearing the very best performers.’ On Miss Lucas’spersevering, however, she added, ‘Very well, if it must beso, it must.’ And gravely glancing at Mr. Darcy, ‘There isa fine old saying, which everybody here is of coursefamiliar with: ‘Keep your breath to cool your porridge’;and I shall keep mine to swell my song.’ Her performance was pleasing, though by no meanscapital. After a song or two, and before she could reply tothe entreaties of several that she would sing again, she waseagerly succeeded at the instrument by her sister Mary,who having, in consequence of being the only plain onein the family, worked hard for knowledge andaccomplishments, was always impatient for display. Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanityhad given her application, it had given her likewise apedantic air and conceited manner, which would haveinjured a higher degree of excellence than she hadreached. Elizabeth, easy and unaffected, had been listenedto with much more pleasure, though not playing half sowell; and Mary, at the end of a long concerto, was glad topurchase praise and gratitude by Scotch and Irish airs, atthe request of her younger sisters, who, with some of theLucases, and two or three officers, joined eagerly indancing at one end of the room. 34 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Mr. Darcy stood near them in silent indignation at sucha mode of passing the evening, to the exclusion of allconversation, and was too much engrossed by his thoughtsto perceive that Sir William Lucas was his neighbour, tillSir William thus began: ‘What a charming amusement for young people this is,Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing after all. Iconsider it as one of the first refinements of polishedsociety.’ ‘Certainly, sir; and it has the advantage also of being invogue amongst the less polished societies of the world.Every savage can dance.’ Sir William only smiled. ‘Your friend performsdelightfully,’ he continued after a pause, on seeing Bingleyjoin the group; ‘and I doubt not that you are an adept inthe science yourself, Mr. Darcy.’ ‘You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, sir.’ ‘Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasurefrom the sight. Do you often dance at St. James’s?’ ‘Never, sir.’ ‘Do you not think it would be a proper compliment tothe place?’ ‘It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if Ican avoid it.’ 35 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘You have a house in town, I conclude?’ Mr. Darcy bowed. ‘I had once had some thought of fixing in townmyself—for I am fond of superior society; but I did notfeel quite certain that the air of London would agree withLady Lucas.’ He paused in hopes of an answer; but his companionwas not disposed to make any; and Elizabeth at that instantmoving towards them, he was struck with the action ofdoing a very gallant thing, and called out to her: ‘My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? Mr.Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady toyou as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse todance, I am sure when so much beauty is before you.’And, taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr.Darcy who, though extremely surprised, was notunwilling to receive it, when she instantly drew back, andsaid with some discomposure to Sir William: ‘Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. Ientreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in orderto beg for a partner.’ Mr. Darcy, with grave propriety, requested to beallowed the honour of her hand, but in vain. Elizabeth 36 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicewas determined; nor did Sir William at all shake herpurpose by his attempt at persuasion. ‘You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it iscruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you; and thoughthis gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he canhave no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half-hour.’ ‘Mr. Darcy is all politeness,’ said Elizabeth, smiling. ‘He is, indeed; but, considering the inducement, mydear Miss Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complaisance—for who would object to such a partner?’ Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away. Herresistance had not injured her with the gentleman, and hewas thinking of her with some complacency, when thusaccosted by Miss Bingley: ‘I can guess the subject of your reverie.’ ‘I should imagine not.’ ‘You are considering how insupportable it would be topass many evenings in this manner—in such society; andindeed I am quite of your opinion. I was never moreannoyed! The insipidity, and yet the noise—thenothingness, and yet the self-importance of all thosepeople! What would I give to hear your strictures onthem!’ 37 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘You conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. Mymind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditatingon the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in theface of a pretty woman can bestow.’ Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face,and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit ofinspiring such reflections. Mr. Darcy replied with greatintrepidity: ‘Miss Elizabeth Bennet.’ ‘Miss Elizabeth Bennet!’ repeated Miss Bingley. ‘I amall astonishment. How long has she been such afavourite?—and pray, when am I to wish you joy?’ ‘That is exactly the question which I expected you toask. A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps fromadmiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment.I knew you would be wishing me joy.’ ‘Nay, if you are serious about it, I shall consider thematter is absolutely settled. You will be having a charmingmother-in-law, indeed; and, of course, she will always beat Pemberley with you.’ He listened to her with perfect indifference while shechose to entertain herself in this manner; and as hiscomposure convinced her that all was safe, her wit flowedlong. 38 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Chapter 7 Mr. Bennet’s property consisted almost entirely in anestate of two thousand a year, which, unfortunately for hisdaughters, was entailed, in default of heirs male, on adistant relation; and their mother’s fortune, though amplefor her situation in life, could but ill supply the deficiencyof his. Her father had been an attorney in Meryton, andhad left her four thousand pounds. She had a sister married to a Mr. Phillips, who hadbeen a clerk to their father and succeeded him in thebusiness, and a brother settled in London in a respectableline of trade. The village of Longbourn was only one mile fromMeryton; a most convenient distance for the young ladies,who were usually tempted thither three or four times aweek, to pay their duty to their aunt and to a milliner’sshop just over the way. The two youngest of the family,Catherine and Lydia, were particularly frequent in theseattentions; their minds were more vacant than theirsisters’, and when nothing better offered, a walk toMeryton was necessary to amuse their morning hours andfurnish conversation for the evening; and however bare of 39 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicenews the country in general might be, they alwayscontrived to learn some from their aunt. At present,indeed, they were well supplied both with news andhappiness by the recent arrival of a militia regiment in theneighbourhood; it was to remain the whole winter, andMeryton was the headquarters. Their visits to Mrs. Phillips were now productive of themost interesting intelligence. Every day added somethingto their knowledge of the officers’ names and connections.Their lodgings were not long a secret, and at length theybegan to know the officers themselves. Mr. Phillips visitedthem all, and this opened to his nieces a store of felicityunknown before. They could talk of nothing but officers;and Mr. Bingley’s large fortune, the mention of whichgave animation to their mother, was worthless in theireyes when opposed to the regimentals of an ensign. After listening one morning to their effusions on thissubject, Mr. Bennet coolly observed: ‘From all that I can collect by your manner of talking,you must be two of the silliest girls in the country. I havesuspected it some time, but I am now convinced.’ Catherine was disconcerted, and made no answer; butLydia, with perfect indifference, continued to express heradmiration of Captain Carter, and her hope of seeing him 40 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicein the course of the day, as he was going the next morningto London. ‘I am astonished, my dear,’ said Mrs. Bennet, ‘that youshould be so ready to think your own children silly. If Iwished to think slightingly of anybody’s children, it shouldnot be of my own, however.’ ‘If my children are silly, I must hope to be alwayssensible of it.’ ‘Yes—but as it happens, they are all of them veryclever.’ ‘This is the only point, I flatter myself, on which we donot agree. I had hoped that our sentiments coincided inevery particular, but I must so far differ from you as tothink our two youngest daughters uncommonly foolish.’ ‘My dear Mr. Bennet, you must not expect such girlsto have the sense of their father and mother. When theyget to our age, I dare say they will not think about officersany more than we do. I remember the time when I liked ared coat myself very well—and, indeed, so I do still at myheart; and if a smart young colonel, with five or sixthousand a year, should want one of my girls I shall notsay nay to him; and I thought Colonel Forster looked verybecoming the other night at Sir William’s in hisregimentals.’ 41 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘Mamma,’ cried Lydia, ‘my aunt says that ColonelForster and Captain Carter do not go so often to MissWatson’s as they did when they first came; she sees themnow very often standing in Clarke’s library.’ Mrs. Bennet was prevented replying by the entrance ofthe footman with a note for Miss Bennet; it came fromNetherfield, and the servant waited for an answer. Mrs.Bennet’s eyes sparkled with pleasure, and she was eagerlycalling out, while her daughter read, ‘Well, Jane, who is it from? What is it about? Whatdoes he say? Well, Jane, make haste and tell us; makehaste, my love.’ ‘It is from Miss Bingley,’ said Jane, and then read italoud. ‘MY DEAR FRIEND,— ‘If you are not so compassionate as to dine to-day withLouisa and me, we shall be in danger of hating each otherfor the rest of our lives, for a whole day’s tete-a-tetebetween two women can never end without a quarrel.Come as soon as you can on receipt of this. My brotherand the gentlemen are to dine with the officers.—Yoursever, ‘CAROLINE BINGLEY.’ 42 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘With the officers!’ cried Lydia. ‘I wonder my aunt didnot tell us of THAT.’ ‘Dining out,’ said Mrs. Bennet, ‘that is very unlucky.’ ‘Can I have the carriage?’ said Jane. ‘No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, becauseit seems likely to rain; and then you must stay all night.’ ‘That would be a good scheme,’ said Elizabeth, ‘if youwere sure that they would not offer to send her home.’ ‘Oh! but the gentlemen will have Mr. Bingley’s chaiseto go to Meryton, and the Hursts have no horses totheirs.’ ‘I had much rather go in the coach.’ ‘But, my dear, your father cannot spare the horses, I amsure. They are wanted in the farm, Mr. Bennet, are theynot?’ ‘They are wanted in the farm much oftener than I canget them.’ ‘But if you have got them to-day,’ said Elizabeth, ‘mymother’s purpose will be answered.’ She did at last extort from her father anacknowledgment that the horses were engaged. Jane wastherefore obliged to go on horseback, and her motherattended her to the door with many cheerful prognosticsof a bad day. Her hopes were answered; Jane had not been 43 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicegone long before it rained hard. Her sisters were uneasyfor her, but her mother was delighted. The rain continuedthe whole evening without intermission; Jane certainlycould not come back. ‘This was a lucky idea of mine, indeed!’ said Mrs.Bennet more than once, as if the credit of making it rainwere all her own. Till the next morning, however, shewas not aware of all the felicity of her contrivance.Breakfast was scarcely over when a servant fromNetherfield brought the following note for Elizabeth: ‘MY DEAREST LIZZY,— ‘I find myself very unwell this morning, which, Isuppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet throughyesterday. My kind friends will not hear of my returningtill I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr. Jones—therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of hishaving been to me—and, excepting a sore throat andheadache, there is not much the matter with me.—Yours,etc.’ ‘Well, my dear,’ said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth hadread the note aloud, ‘if your daughter should have adangerous fit of illness—if she should die, it would be acomfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley,and under your orders.’ 44 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘Oh! I am not afraid of her dying. People do not die oflittle trifling colds. She will be taken good care of. As longas she stays there, it is all very well. I would go an see herif I could have the carriage.’ Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, was determined to goto her, though the carriage was not to be had; and as shewas no horsewoman, walking was her only alternative.She declared her resolution. ‘How can you be so silly,’ cried her mother, ‘as tothink of such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit tobe seen when you get there.’ ‘I shall be very fit to see Jane—which is all I want.’ ‘Is this a hint to me, Lizzy,’ said her father, ‘to send forthe horses?’ ‘No, indeed, I do not wish to avoid the walk. Thedistance is nothing when one has a motive; only threemiles. I shall be back by dinner.’ ‘I admire the activity of your benevolence,’ observedMary, ‘but every impulse of feeling should be guided byreason; and, in my opinion, exertion should always be inproportion to what is required.’ ‘We will go as far as Meryton with you,’ said Catherineand Lydia. Elizabeth accepted their company, and thethree young ladies set off together. 45 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘If we make haste,’ said Lydia, as they walked along,‘perhaps we may see something of Captain Carter beforehe goes.’ In Meryton they parted; the two youngest repaired tothe lodgings of one of the officers’ wives, and Elizabethcontinued her walk alone, crossing field after field at aquick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddleswith impatient activity, and finding herself at last withinview of the house, with weary ankles, dirty stockings, anda face glowing with the warmth of exercise. She was shown into the breakfast-parlour, where all butJane were assembled, and where her appearance created agreat deal of surprise. That she should have walked threemiles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and byherself, was almost incredible to Mrs. Hurst and MissBingley; and Elizabeth was convinced that they held her incontempt for it. She was received, however, very politelyby them; and in their brother’s manners there wassomething better than politeness; there was good humourand kindness. Mr. Darcy said very little, and Mr. Hurstnothing at all. The former was divided betweenadmiration of the brilliancy which exercise had given toher complexion, and doubt as to the occasion’s justifying 46 of 593

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Pride and Prejudiceher coming so far alone. The latter was thinking only ofhis breakfast. Her inquiries after her sister were not very favourablyanswered. Miss Bennet had slept ill, and though up, wasvery feverish, and not well enough to leave her room.Elizabeth was glad to be taken to her immediately; andJane, who had only been withheld by the fear of givingalarm or inconvenience from expressing in her note howmuch she longed for such a visit, was delighted at herentrance. She was not equal, however, to muchconversation, and when Miss Bingley left them together,could attempt little besides expressions of gratitude for theextraordinary kindness she was treated with. Elizabethsilently attended her. When breakfast was over they were joined by thesisters; and Elizabeth began to like them herself, when shesaw how much affection and solicitude they showed forJane. The apothecary came, and having examined hispatient, said, as might be supposed, that she had caught aviolent cold, and that they must endeavour to get thebetter of it; advised her to return to bed, and promised hersome draughts. The advice was followed readily, for thefeverish symptoms increased, and her head ached acutely.Elizabeth did not quit her room for a moment; nor were 47 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicethe other ladies often absent; the gentlemen being out,they had, in fact, nothing to do elsewhere. When the clock struck three, Elizabeth felt that shemust go, and very unwillingly said so. Miss Bingleyoffered her the carriage, and she only wanted a littlepressing to accept it, when Jane testified such concern inparting with her, that Miss Bingley was obliged to convertthe offer of the chaise to an invitation to remain atNetherfield for the present. Elizabeth most thankfullyconsented, and a servant was dispatched to Longbourn toacquaint the family with her stay and bring back a supplyof clothes. 48 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Chapter 8 At five o’clock the two ladies retired to dress, and athalf-past six Elizabeth was summoned to dinner. To thecivil inquiries which then poured in, and amongst whichshe had the pleasure of distinguishing the much superiorsolicitude of Mr. Bingley’s, she could not make a veryfavourable answer. Jane was by no means better. Thesisters, on hearing this, repeated three or four times howmuch they were grieved, how shocking it was to have abad cold, and how excessively they disliked being illthemselves; and then thought no more of the matter: andtheir indifference towards Jane when not immediatelybefore them restored Elizabeth to the enjoyment of all herformer dislike. Their brother, indeed, was the only one of the partywhom she could regard with any complacency. Hisanxiety for Jane was evident, and his attentions to herselfmost pleasing, and they prevented her feeling herself somuch an intruder as she believed she was considered bythe others. She had very little notice from any but him.Miss Bingley was engrossed by Mr. Darcy, her sisterscarcely less so; and as for Mr. Hurst, by whom Elizabeth 49 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicesat, he was an indolent man, who lived only to eat, drink,and play at cards; who, when he found her to prefer aplain dish to a ragout, had nothing to say to her. When dinner was over, she returned directly to Jane,and Miss Bingley began abusing her as soon as she was outof the room. Her manners were pronounced to be verybad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence; she hadno conversation, no style, no beauty. Mrs. Hurst thoughtthe same, and added: ‘She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, butbeing an excellent walker. I shall never forget herappearance this morning. She really looked almost wild.’ ‘She did, indeed, Louisa. I could hardly keep mycountenance. Very nonsensical to come at all! Why mustSHE be scampering about the country, because her sisterhad a cold? Her hair, so untidy, so blowsy!’ ‘Yes, and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat,six inches deep in mud, I am absolutely certain; and thegown which had been let down to hide it not doing itsoffice.’ ‘Your picture may be very exact, Louisa,’ said Bingley;‘but this was all lost upon me. I thought Miss ElizabethBennet looked remarkably well when she came into the 50 of 593

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Pride and Prejudiceroom this morning. Her dirty petticoat quite escaped mynotice.’ ‘YOU observed it, Mr. Darcy, I am sure,’ said MissBingley; ‘and I am inclined to think that you would notwish to see YOUR sister make such an exhibition.’ ‘Certainly not.’ ‘To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, orwhatever it is, above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quitealone! What could she mean by it? It seems to me to showan abominable sort of conceited independence, a mostcountry-town indifference to decorum.’ ‘It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing,’said Bingley. ‘I am afraid, Mr. Darcy,’ observed Miss Bingley in ahalf whisper, ‘that this adventure has rather affected youradmiration of her fine eyes.’ ‘Not at all,’ he replied; ‘they were brightened by theexercise.’ A short pause followed this speech, and Mrs.Hurst began again: ‘I have a excessive regard for Miss Jane Bennet, she isreally a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart shewere well settled. But with such a father and mother, andsuch low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it.’ 51 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘I think I have heard you say that their uncle is anattorney on Meryton.’ ‘Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere nearCheapside.’ ‘That is capital,’ added her sister, and they both laughedheartily. ‘If they had uncles enough to fill ALL Cheapside,’ criedBingley, ‘it would not make them one jot less agreeable.’ ‘But it must very materially lessen their chance ofmarrying men of any consideration in the world,’ repliedDarcy. To this speech Bingley made no answer; but his sistersgave it their hearty assent, and indulged their mirth forsome time at the expense of their dear friend’s vulgarrelations. With a renewal of tenderness, however, they returnedto her room on leaving the dining-parlour, and sat withher till summoned to coffee. She was still very poorly, andElizabeth would not quit her at all, till late in the evening,when she had the comfort of seeing her sleep, and when itseemed to her rather right than pleasant that she should godownstairs herself. On entering the drawing-room shefound the whole party at loo, and was immediately invitedto join them; but suspecting them to be playing high she 52 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicedeclined it, and making her sister the excuse, said shewould amuse herself for the short time she could staybelow, with a book. Mr. Hurst looked at her withastonishment. ‘Do you prefer reading to cards?’ said he; ‘that is rathersingular.’ ‘Miss Eliza Bennet,’ said Miss Bingley, ‘despises cards.She is a great reader, and has no pleasure in anything else.’ ‘I deserve neither such praise nor such censure,’ criedElizabeth; ‘I am NOT a great reader, and I have pleasurein many things.’ ‘In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure,’ saidBingley; ‘and I hope it will be soon increased by seeingher quite well.’ Elizabeth thanked him from her heart, and then walkedtowards the table where a few books were lying. Heimmediately offered to fetch her others—all that his libraryafforded. ‘And I wish my collection were larger for your benefitand my own credit; but I am an idle fellow, and though Ihave not many, I have more than I ever looked into.’ Elizabeth assured him that she could suit herselfperfectly with those in the room. 53 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘I am astonished,’ said Miss Bingley, ‘that my fathershould have left so small a collection of books. What adelightful library you have at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!’ ‘It ought to be good,’ he replied, ‘it has been the workof many generations.’ ‘And then you have added so much to it yourself, youare always buying books.’ ‘I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library insuch days as these.’ ‘Neglect! I am sure you neglect nothing that can add tothe beauties of that noble place. Charles, when you buildYOUR house, I wish it may be half as delightful asPemberley.’ ‘I wish it may.’ ‘But I would really advise you to make your purchasein that neighbourhood, and take Pemberley for a kind ofmodel. There is not a finer county in England thanDerbyshire.’ ‘With all my heart; I will buy Pemberley itself if Darcywill sell it.’ ‘I am talking of possibilities, Charles.’ ‘Upon my word, Caroline, I should think it morepossible to get Pemberley by purchase than by imitation.’ 54 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth was so much caught with what passed, as toleave her very little attention for her book; and soonlaying it wholly aside, she drew near the card-table, andstationed herself between Mr. Bingley and his eldest sister,to observe the game. ‘Is Miss Darcy much grown since the spring?’ said MissBingley; ‘will she be as tall as I am?’ ‘I think she will. She is now about Miss ElizabethBennet’s height, or rather taller.’ ‘How I long to see her again! I never met withanybody who delighted me so much. Such a countenance,such manners! And so extremely accomplished for her age!Her performance on the pianoforte is exquisite.’ ‘It is amazing to me,’ said Bingley, ‘how young ladiescan have patience to be so very accomplished as they allare.’ ‘All young ladies accomplished! My dear Charles, whatdo you mean?’ ‘Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint tables, coverscreens, and net purses. I scarcely know anyone whocannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard a younglady spoken of for the first time, without being informedthat she was very accomplished.’ 55 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘Your list of the common extent of accomplishments,’said Darcy, ‘has too much truth. The word is applied tomany a woman who deserves it no otherwise than bynetting a purse or covering a screen. But I am very farfrom agreeing with you in your estimation of ladies ingeneral. I cannot boast of knowing more than half-a-dozen, in the whole range of my acquaintance, that arereally accomplished.’ ‘Nor I, I am sure,’ said Miss Bingley. ‘Then,’ observed Elizabeth, ‘you must comprehend agreat deal in your idea of an accomplished woman.’ ‘Yes, I do comprehend a great deal in it.’ ‘Oh! certainly,’ cried his faithful assistant, ‘no one canbe really esteemed accomplished who does not greatlysurpass what is usually met with. A woman must have athorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing,and the modern languages, to deserve the word; andbesides all this, she must possess a certain something in herair and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, heraddress and expressions, or the word will be but half-deserved.’ ‘All this she must possess,’ added Darcy, ‘and to all thisshe must yet add something more substantial, in theimprovement of her mind by extensive reading.’ 56 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘I am no longer surprised at your knowing ONLY sixaccomplished women. I rather wonder now at yourknowing ANY.’ ‘Are you so severe upon your own sex as to doubt thepossibility of all this?’ ‘I never saw such a woman. I never saw such capacity,and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describeunited.’ Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley both cried out against theinjustice of her implied doubt, and were both protestingthat they knew many women who answered thisdescription, when Mr. Hurst called them to order, withbitter complaints of their inattention to what was goingforward. As all conversation was thereby at an end,Elizabeth soon afterwards left the room. ‘Elizabeth Bennet,’ said Miss Bingley, when the doorwas closed on her, ‘is one of those young ladies who seekto recommend themselves to the other sex byundervaluing their own; and with many men, I dare say, itsucceeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a verymean art.’ ‘Undoubtedly,’ replied Darcy, to whom this remarkwas chiefly addressed, ‘there is a meanness in ALL the artswhich ladies sometimes condescend to employ for 57 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicecaptivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning isdespicable.’ Miss Bingley was not so entirely satisfied with this replyas to continue the subject. Elizabeth joined them again only to say that her sisterwas worse, and that she could not leave her. Bingley urgedMr. Jones being sent for immediately; while his sisters,convinced that no country advice could be of any service,recommended an express to town for one of the mosteminent physicians. This she would not hear of; but shewas not so unwilling to comply with their brother’sproposal; and it was settled that Mr. Jones should be sentfor early in the morning, if Miss Bennet were notdecidedly better. Bingley was quite uncomfortable; hissisters declared that they were miserable. They solacedtheir wretchedness, however, by duets after supper, whilehe could find no better relief to his feelings than by givinghis housekeeper directions that every attention might bepaid to the sick lady and her sister. 58 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Chapter 9 Elizabeth passed the chief of the night in her sister’sroom, and in the morning had the pleasure of being ableto send a tolerable answer to the inquiries which she veryearly received from Mr. Bingley by a housemaid, andsome time afterwards from the two elegant ladies whowaited on his sisters. In spite of this amendment, however,she requested to have a note sent to Longbourn, desiringher mother to visit Jane, and form her own judgement ofher situation. The note was immediately dispatched, andits contents as quickly complied with. Mrs. Bennet,accompanied by her two youngest girls, reachedNetherfield soon after the family breakfast. Had she found Jane in any apparent danger, Mrs.Bennet would have been very miserable; but beingsatisfied on seeing her that her illness was not alarming, shehad no wish of her recovering immediately, as herrestoration to health would probably remove her fromNetherfield. She would not listen, therefore, to herdaughter’s proposal of being carried home; neither did theapothecary, who arrived about the same time, think it atall advisable. After sitting a little while with Jane, on Miss 59 of 593

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Pride and PrejudiceBingley’s appearance and invitation, the mother and threedaughter all attended her into the breakfast parlour.Bingley met them with hopes that Mrs. Bennet had notfound Miss Bennet worse than she expected. ‘Indeed I have, sir,’ was her answer. ‘She is a great dealtoo ill to be moved. Mr. Jones says we must not think ofmoving her. We must trespass a little longer on yourkindness.’ ‘Removed!’ cried Bingley. ‘It must not be thought of.My sister, I am sure, will not hear of her removal.’ ‘You may depend upon it, Madam,’ said Miss Bingley,with cold civility, ‘that Miss Bennet will receive everypossible attention while she remains with us.’ Mrs. Bennet was profuse in her acknowledgments. ‘I am sure,’ she added, ‘if it was not for such goodfriends I do not know what would become of her, for sheis very ill indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with thegreatest patience in the world, which is always the waywith her, for she has, without exception, the sweetesttemper I have ever met with. I often tell my other girlsthey are nothing to HER. You have a sweet room here,Mr. Bingley, and a charming prospect over the gravelwalk. I do not know a place in the country that is equal to 60 of 593

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Pride and PrejudiceNetherfield. You will not think of quitting it in a hurry, Ihope, though you have but a short lease.’ ‘Whatever I do is done in a hurry,’ replied he; ‘andtherefore if I should resolve to quit Netherfield, I shouldprobably be off in five minutes. At present, however, Iconsider myself as quite fixed here.’ ‘That is exactly what I should have supposed of you,’said Elizabeth. ‘You begin to comprehend me, do you?’ cried he,turning towards her. ‘Oh! yes—I understand you perfectly.’ ‘I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be soeasily seen through I am afraid is pitiful.’ ‘That is as it happens. It does not follow that a deep,intricate character is more or less estimable than such a oneas yours.’ ‘Lizzy,’ cried her mother, ‘remember where you are,and do not run on in the wild manner that you aresuffered to do at home.’ ‘I did not know before,’ continued Bingleyimmediately, ‘that your were a studier of character. It mustbe an amusing study.’ ‘Yes, but intricate characters are the MOST amusing.They have at least that advantage.’ 61 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘The country,’ said Darcy, ‘can in general supply but afew subjects for such a study. In a country neighbourhoodyou move in a very confined and unvarying society.’ ‘But people themselves alter so much, that there issomething new to be observed in them for ever.’ ‘Yes, indeed,’ cried Mrs. Bennet, offended by hismanner of mentioning a country neighbourhood. ‘I assureyou there is quite as much of THAT going on in thecountry as in town.’ Everybody was surprised, and Darcy, after looking ather for a moment, turned silently away. Mrs. Bennet, whofancied she had gained a complete victory over him,continued her triumph. ‘I cannot see that London has any great advantage overthe country, for my part, except the shops and publicplaces. The country is a vast deal pleasanter, is it not, Mr.Bingley?’ ‘When I am in the country,’ he replied, ‘I never wishto leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much thesame. They have each their advantages, and I can beequally happy in either.’ ‘Aye—that is because you have the right disposition.But that gentleman,’ looking at Darcy, ‘seemed to thinkthe country was nothing at all.’ 62 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘Indeed, Mamma, you are mistaken,’ said Elizabeth,blushing for her mother. ‘You quite mistook Mr. Darcy.He only meant that there was not such a variety of peopleto be met with in the country as in the town, which youmust acknowledge to be true.’ ‘Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as tonot meeting with many people in this neighbourhood, Ibelieve there are few neighbourhoods larger. I know wedine with four-and-twenty families.’ Nothing but concern for Elizabeth could enableBingley to keep his countenance. His sister was lessdelicate, and directed her eyes towards Mr. Darcy with avery expressive smile. Elizabeth, for the sake of sayingsomething that might turn her mother’s thoughts, nowasked her if Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn sinceHER coming away. ‘Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What anagreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Bingley, is not he? Somuch the man of fashion! So genteel and easy! He hadalways something to say to everybody. THAT is my ideaof good breeding; and those persons who fancy themselvesvery important, and never open their mouths, quitemistake the matter.’ ‘Did Charlotte dine with you?’ 63 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘No, she would go home. I fancy she was wanted aboutthe mince-pies. For my part, Mr. Bingley, I always keepservants that can do their own work; MY daughters arebrought up very differently. But everybody is to judge forthemselves, and the Lucases are a very good sort of girls, Iassure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that Ithink Charlotte so VERY plain—but then she is ourparticular friend.’ ‘She seems a very pleasant young woman.’ ‘Oh! dear, yes; but you must own she is very plain.Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane’sbeauty. I do not like to boast of my own child, but to besure, Jane—one does not often see anybody betterlooking. It is what everybody says. I do not trust my ownpartiality. When she was only fifteen, there was a man atmy brother Gardiner’s in town so much in love with herthat my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offerbefore we came away. But, however, he did not. Perhapshe thought her too young. However, he wrote someverses on her, and very pretty they were.’ ‘And so ended his affection,’ said Elizabeth impatiently.‘There has been many a one, I fancy, overcome in thesame way. I wonder who first discovered the efficacy ofpoetry in driving away love!’ 64 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘I have been used to consider poetry as the FOOD oflove,’ said Darcy. ‘Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Everythingnourishes what is strong already. But if it be only a slight,thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one goodsonnet will starve it entirely away.’ Darcy only smiled; and the general pause which ensuedmade Elizabeth tremble lest her mother should beexposing herself again. She longed to speak, but couldthink of nothing to say; and after a short silence Mrs.Bennet began repeating her thanks to Mr. Bingley for hiskindness to Jane, with an apology for troubling him alsowith Lizzy. Mr. Bingley was unaffectedly civil in hisanswer, and forced his younger sister to be civil also, andsay what the occasion required. She performed her partindeed without much graciousness, but Mrs. Bennet wassatisfied, and soon afterwards ordered her carriage. Uponthis signal, the youngest of her daughters put herselfforward. The two girls had been whispering to each otherduring the whole visit, and the result of it was, that theyoungest should tax Mr. Bingley with having promised onhis first coming into the country to give a ball atNetherfield. 65 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Lydia was a stout, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a finecomplexion and good-humoured countenance; a favouritewith her mother, whose affection had brought her intopublic at an early age. She had high animal spirits, and asort of natural self-consequence, which the attention ofthe officers, to whom her uncle’s good dinners, and herown easy manners recommended her, had increased intoassurance. She was very equal, therefore, to address Mr.Bingley on the subject of the ball, and abruptly remindedhim of his promise; adding, that it would be the mostshameful thing in the world if he did not keep it. Hisanswer to this sudden attack was delightful to theirmother’s ear: ‘I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep myengagement; and when your sister is recovered, you shall,if you please, name the very day of the ball. But youwould not wish to be dancing when she is ill.’ Lydia declared herself satisfied. ‘Oh! yes—it would bemuch better to wait till Jane was well, and by that timemost likely Captain Carter would be at Meryton again.And when you have given YOUR ball,’ she added, ‘I shallinsist on their giving one also. I shall tell Colonel Forster itwill be quite a shame if he does not.’ 66 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then departed, andElizabeth returned instantly to Jane, leaving her own andher relations’ behaviour to the remarks of the two ladiesand Mr. Darcy; the latter of whom, however, could notbe prevailed on to join in their censure of HER, in spiteof all Miss Bingley’s witticisms on FINE EYES. 67 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Chapter 10 The day passed much as the day before had done. Mrs.Hurst and Miss Bingley had spent some hours of themorning with the invalid, who continued, though slowly,to mend; and in the evening Elizabeth joined their partyin the drawing-room. The loo-table, however, did notappear. Mr. Darcy was writing, and Miss Bingley, seatednear him, was watching the progress of his letter andrepeatedly calling off his attention by messages to his sister.Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley were at piquet, and Mrs. Hurstwas observing their game. Elizabeth took up some needlework, and wassufficiently amused in attending to what passed betweenDarcy and his companion. The perpetual commendationsof the lady, either on his handwriting, or on the evennessof his lines, or on the length of his letter, with the perfectunconcern with which her praises were received, formed acurious dialogue, and was exactly in union with heropinion of each. ‘How delighted Miss Darcy will be to receive such aletter!’ He made no answer. 68 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘You write uncommonly fast.’ ‘You are mistaken. I write rather slowly.’ ‘How many letters you must have occasion to write inthe course of a year! Letters of business, too! How odious Ishould think them!’ ‘It is fortunate, then, that they fall to my lot instead ofyours.’ ‘Pray tell your sister that I long to see her.’ ‘I have already told her so once, by your desire.’ ‘I am afraid you do not like your pen. Let me mend itfor you. I mend pens remarkably well.’ ‘Thank you—but I always mend my own.’ ‘How can you contrive to write so even?’ He was silent. ‘Tell your sister I am delighted to hear of herimprovement on the harp; and pray let her know that Iam quite in raptures with her beautiful little design for atable, and I think it infinitely superior to Miss Grantley’s.’ ‘Will you give me leave to defer your raptures till Iwrite again? At present I have not room to do themjustice.’ ‘Oh! it is of no consequence. I shall see her in January.But do you always write such charming long letters to her,Mr. Darcy?’ 69 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘They are generally long; but whether always charmingit is not for me to determine.’ ‘It is a rule with me, that a person who can write a longletter with ease, cannot write ill.’ ‘That will not do for a compliment to Darcy,Caroline,’ cried her brother, ‘because he does NOT writewith ease. He studies too much for words of four syllables.Do not you, Darcy?’ ‘My style of writing is very different from yours.’ ‘Oh!’ cried Miss Bingley, ‘Charles writes in the mostcareless way imaginable. He leaves out half his words, andblots the rest.’ ‘My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time toexpress them—by which means my letters sometimesconvey no ideas at all to my correspondents.’ ‘Your humility, Mr. Bingley,’ said Elizabeth, ‘mustdisarm reproof.’ ‘Nothing is more deceitful,’ said Darcy, ‘than theappearance of humility. It is often only carelessness ofopinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.’ ‘And which of the two do you call MY little recentpiece of modesty?’ ‘The indirect boast; for you are really proud of yourdefects in writing, because you consider them as 70 of 593

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Pride and Prejudiceproceeding from a rapidity of thought and carelessness ofexecution, which, if not estimable, you think at leasthighly interesting. The power of doing anything withquickness is always prized much by the possessor, andoften without any attention to the imperfection of theperformance. When you told Mrs. Bennet this morningthat if you ever resolved upon quitting Netherfield youshould be gone in five minutes, you meant it to be a sortof panegyric, of compliment to yourself—and yet what isthere so very laudable in a precipitance which must leavevery necessary business undone, and can be of no realadvantage to yourself or anyone else?’ ‘Nay,’ cried Bingley, ‘this is too much, to remember atnight all the foolish things that were said in the morning.And yet, upon my honour, I believe what I said of myselfto be true, and I believe it at this moment. At least,therefore, I did not assume the character of needlessprecipitance merely to show off before the ladies.’ ‘I dare say you believed it; but I am by no meansconvinced that you would be gone with such celerity.Your conduct would be quite as dependent on chance asthat of any man I know; and if, as you were mountingyour horse, a friend were to say, ‘Bingley, you had betterstay till next week,’ you would probably do it, you would 71 of 593

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Pride and Prejudiceprobably not go—and at another word, might stay amonth.’ ‘You have only proved by this,’ cried Elizabeth, ‘thatMr. Bingley did not do justice to his own disposition. Youhave shown him off now much more than he did himself.’ ‘I am exceedingly gratified,’ said Bingley, ‘by yourconverting what my friend says into a compliment on thesweetness of my temper. But I am afraid you are giving ita turn which that gentleman did by no means intend; forhe would certainly think better of me, if under such acircumstance I were to give a flat denial, and ride off as fastas I could.’ ‘Would Mr. Darcy then consider the rashness of youroriginal intentions as atoned for by your obstinacy inadhering to it?’ ‘Upon my word, I cannot exactly explain the matter;Darcy must speak for himself.’ ‘You expect me to account for opinions which youchoose to call mine, but which I have neveracknowledged. Allowing the case, however, to standaccording to your representation, you must remember,Miss Bennet, that the friend who is supposed to desire hisreturn to the house, and the delay of his plan, has merely 72 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicedesired it, asked it without offering one argument infavour of its propriety.’ ‘To yield readily—easily—to the PERSUASION of afriend is no merit with you.’ ‘To yield without conviction is no compliment to theunderstanding of either.’ ‘You appear to me, Mr. Darcy, to allow nothing forthe influence of friendship and affection. A regard for therequester would often make one readily yield to a request,without waiting for arguments to reason one into it. I amnot particularly speaking of such a case as you havesupposed about Mr. Bingley. We may as well wait,perhaps, till the circumstance occurs before we discuss thediscretion of his behaviour thereupon. But in general andordinary cases between friend and friend, where one ofthem is desired by the other to change a resolution of novery great moment, should you think ill of that person forcomplying with the desire, without waiting to be arguedinto it?’ ‘Will it not be advisable, before we proceed on thissubject, to arrange with rather more precision the degreeof importance which is to appertain to this request, as wellas the degree of intimacy subsisting between the parties?’ 73 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘By all means,’ cried Bingley; ‘let us hear all theparticulars, not forgetting their comparative height andsize; for that will have more weight in the argument, MissBennet, than you may be aware of. I assure you, that ifDarcy were not such a great tall fellow, in comparisonwith myself, I should not pay him half so much deference.I declare I do not know a more awful object than Darcy,on particular occasions, and in particular places; at his ownhouse especially, and of a Sunday evening, when he hasnothing to do.’ Mr. Darcy smiled; but Elizabeth thought she couldperceive that he was rather offended, and thereforechecked her laugh. Miss Bingley warmly resented theindignity he had received, in an expostulation with herbrother for talking such nonsense. ‘I see your design, Bingley,’ said his friend. ‘You dislikean argument, and want to silence this.’ ‘Perhaps I do. Arguments are too much like disputes. Ifyou and Miss Bennet will defer yours till I am out of theroom, I shall be very thankful; and then you may saywhatever you like of me.’ ‘What you ask,’ said Elizabeth, ‘is no sacrifice on myside; and Mr. Darcy had much better finish his letter.’ Mr. Darcy took her advice, and did finish his letter. 74 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice When that business was over, he applied to MissBingley and Elizabeth for an indulgence of some music.Miss Bingley moved with some alacrity to the pianoforte;and, after a polite request that Elizabeth would lead theway which the other as politely and more earnestlynegatived, she seated herself. Mrs. Hurst sang with her sister, and while they werethus employed, Elizabeth could not help observing, as sheturned over some music-books that lay on the instrument,how frequently Mr. Darcy’s eyes were fixed on her. Shehardly knew how to suppose that she could be an objectof admiration to so great a man; and yet that he shouldlook at her because he disliked her, was still more strange.She could only imagine, however, at last that she drew hisnotice because there was something more wrong andreprehensible, according to his ideas of right, than in anyother person present. The supposition did not pain her.She liked him too little to care for his approbation. After playing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley variedthe charm by a lively Scotch air; and soon afterwards Mr.Darcy, drawing near Elizabeth, said to her: ‘Do not you feel a great inclination, Miss Bennet, toseize such an opportunity of dancing a reel?’ 75 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice She smiled, but made no answer. He repeated thequestion, with some surprise at her silence. ‘Oh!’ said she, ‘I heard you before, but I could notimmediately determine what to say in reply. You wantedme, I know, to say ‘Yes,’ that you might have the pleasureof despising my taste; but I always delight in overthrowingthose kind of schemes, and cheating a person of theirpremeditated contempt. I have, therefore, made up mymind to tell you, that I do not want to dance a reel atall—and now despise me if you dare.’ ‘Indeed I do not dare.’ Elizabeth, having rather expected to affront him, wasamazed at his gallantry; but there was a mixture ofsweetness and archness in her manner which made itdifficult for her to affront anybody; and Darcy had neverbeen so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. Hereally believed, that were it not for the inferiority of herconnections, he should be in some danger. Miss Bingley saw, or suspected enough to be jealous;and her great anxiety for the recovery of her dear friendJane received some assistance from her desire of getting ridof Elizabeth. 76 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice She often tried to provoke Darcy into disliking herguest, by talking of their supposed marriage, and planninghis happiness in such an alliance. ‘I hope,’ said she, as they were walking together in theshrubbery the next day, ‘you will give your mother-in-lawa few hints, when this desirable event takes place, as to theadvantage of holding her tongue; and if you can compassit, do sure the younger girls of running after officers. And,if I may mention so delicate a subject, endeavour to checkthat little something, bordering on conceit andimpertinence, which your lady possesses.’ ‘Have you anything else to propose for my domesticfelicity?’ ‘Oh! yes. Do let the portraits of your uncle and auntPhillips be placed in the gallery at Pemberley. Put themnext to your great-uncle the judge. They are in the sameprofession, you know, only in different lines. As for yourElizabeth’s picture, you must not have it taken, for whatpainter could do justice to those beautiful eyes?’ ‘It would not be easy, indeed, to catch their expression,but their colour and shape, and the eyelashes, soremarkably fine, might be copied.’ At that moment they were met from another walk byMrs. Hurst and Elizabeth herself. 77 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice ‘I did not know that you intended to walk,’ said MissBingley, in some confusion, lest they had been overheard. ‘You used us abominably ill,’ answered Mrs. Hurst,‘running away without telling us that you were comingout.’ Then taking the disengaged arm of Mr. Darcy, she leftElizabeth to walk by herself. The path just admitted three.Mr. Darcy felt their rudeness, and immediately said: ‘This walk is not wide enough for our party. We hadbetter go into the avenue.’ But Elizabeth, who had not the least inclination toremain with them, laughingly answered: ‘No, no; stay where you are. You are charminglygrouped, and appear to uncommon advantage. Thepicturesque would be spoilt by admitting a fourth. Good-bye.’ She then ran gaily off, rejoicing as she rambled about,in the hope of being at home again in a day or two. Janewas already so much recovered as to intend leaving herroom for a couple of hours that evening. 78 of 593

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Pride and Prejudice Chapter 11 When the ladies removed after dinner, Elizabeth ran upto her sister, and seeing her well guarded from cold,attended her into the drawing-room, where she waswelcomed by her two friends with many professions ofpleasure; and Elizabeth had never seen them so agreeableas they were during the hour which passed before thegentlemen appeared. Their powers of conversation wereconsiderable. They could describe an entertainment withaccuracy, relate an anecdote with humour, and laugh attheir acquaintance with spirit. But when the gentlemen entered, Jane was no longerthe first object; Miss Bingley’s eyes were instantly turnedtoward Darcy, and she had something to say to him beforehe had advanced many steps. He addressed himself to MissBennet, with a polite congratulation; Mr. Hurst also madeher a slight bow, and said he was ‘very glad;’ butdiffuseness and warmth remained for Bingley’s salutation.He was full of joy and attention. The first half-hour wasspent in piling up the fire, lest she should suffer from thechange of room; and she removed at his desire to theother side of the fireplace, that she might be further from 79 of 593

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Pride and Prejudicethe door. He then sat down by her, and talked scarcely toanyone else. Elizabeth, at work in the opposite corner, sawit all with great delight. When tea was over, Mr. Hurst reminded his sister-in-law of the card-table—but in vain. She had obtainedprivate intelligence that Mr. Darcy did not wish for cards;and Mr. Hurst soon found even his open petition rejected.She assured him that no one intended to play, and thesilence of the whole party on the subject seemed to justifyher. Mr. Hurst had therefore nothing to do, but to stretchhimself on one of the sofas and go to sleep. Darcy took upa book; Miss Bingley did the same; and Mrs. Hurst,principally occupied in playing with her bracelets andrings, joined now and then in her brother’s conversationwith Miss Bennet. Miss Bingley’s attention was quite as much engaged inwatching Mr. Darcy’s progress through HIS book, as inreading her own; and she was perpetually either makingsome inquiry, or looking at his page. She could not winhim, however, to any conversation; he merely answeredher question, and read on. At length, quite exhausted bythe attempt to be amused with her own book, which shehad only chosen because it was the second volume of his,she gave a great yawn and said, ‘How pleasant it is to 80 of 593